Saturday night’s match against the Montreal Impact was a crucial tilt in D.C. United’s playoff run, and critical to getting that 5-0 result was the raucous crowd of supporters that filled Audi Field when it mattered most. The match was a sellout crowd of 20,573, the fourth sellout this year, and a new attendance record for Audi Field. The rowdy fans were treated to one of the Black-and-Red's best performances of the year, and Head Coach Ben Olsen was happy to reward the fans that have stuck with them through the highs and lows of the season.
“It was a great crowd,” Olsen said after the match. “I think most of them probably went home happy and are looking forward to coming back…it’s a big boost. Not traveling and being here consistently makes up for all the miles we put on early in the year.”
D.C. United’s performance has improved since the move to Audi Field, which also coincided with the arrival of Wayne Rooney, many players returning to full health, and a less hectic schedule. As the Black-and-Red fight for a playoff spot in their final stretch of regular season games, the energy of the home crowd will be more important than ever, and at the match against Montreal, the fans proved what a strong sense of home-field advantage they can provide.
Captain Wayne Rooney has been particularly impressed by the support of D.C. United fans and hopes he can thank them properly as the Black-and-Red continue their run.
“The fans have been great to me since I’ve arrived and hopefully I can repay them, first with a spot in the playoffs, but also with performances and goals,” Rooney said after the match against Montreal. “Since we’ve been here, the fans have been great for us.”
D.C. United have five regular season matches remaining this year, with four of those matches being played at home. After their dominant victory over the Impact, they sit just two points behind Montreal in the playoff race and have played two fewer games, putting their postseason destiny firmly in their own hands. If the players show up and bring their all each match, and the supporters show up and bring their all each match, the Black-and-Red are confident that they can reach their goal of making the playoffs.
